Quiz: Howstuffworks

Show Your Canadian Roots With This History Quiz

Heather Cahill

Image: Wiki Commons by Library and Archives Canada

About This Quiz

Canada's history may not be quite as long or fact-filled as other countries' history might be, but it is essential to know. That's why we have to take our Canadian History class in school. From the indigenous people who lived on the land first to today's most recent history, Canada has been through a lot.

Canada's history dates way back to before it was even considered to be a country. It was touched by many explorers and inhabited by native peoples whose ancestors are still living in our great nation today. Upon becoming a true nation, the country's political history then begins. Changing altogether as one nation, areas slowly started becoming recognized as part of the Dominion of Canada, even as late as the start of the millennium. As they say, it's better late than never! We've had battles and conflicts on our homeland, and we've defended ourselves bravely and proudly. Most important of all, we've become a great country which recognizes that there's always room for improvement.

Do you consider yourself to be an expert on Canadian history? Do you take pride in your Canadian heritage? Then show that you know how the country came to be by taking this quiz!

Wiki Commons by The Darlington Collection

Do you know which of the following groups was not part of the Iroquois Confederacy?

Seneca

Nakoda

Mohawk

Oneida

Starting with five groups, there were later six that were part of the Iroquois Confederacy. The confederacy was vital as it kept a pact of peace between all of the nations. However, war was fair game outside of the confederacy.

Wiki Commons by NASA

Who was the first Canadian woman in space?

Roberta Bondar

Julie Payette

Elizabeth May

Laura Secord

Roberta Bondar made Canadian history in 1992 with her space flight. In fact, this accomplishment was something that she had dreamed of as a child. Not to be the first Canadian woman in space, but to explore space someday.

Wiki Commons by Théophile Hamel

What year did Jacques Cartier reach Canada for the first time?

1534

1680

1799

1823

Jacques Cartier reached Canada in 1534 and stayed for around one year after touching down. After his return to France, he decided to settle on the land on a voyage a few years later alongside his crew.

Wiki Commons by Archives of Manitoba

This was one important moment in Canadian history. Do you know which province gave women the right to vote first?

Ontario

Manitoba

Quebec

British Columbia

Manitoba was the first of the provinces and territories to allow women not only to vote but to be elected. Other provinces weren't far behind, but it took until 1960 for all women to be allowed to exercise their rights. Shown here is the presentation of a petition by the Political Equality League for the enfranchisement of women in Winnipeg, Dec. 23, 1915.

Wiki Commons by Ray Duguay

A milestone for the country, when was Canada's Centennial?

1800

2017

1989

1967

Canada's Centennial celebrated 100 years since the country's Confederation. Did you know that one of the first Centennial babies born was Canadian Pamela Anderson? However another woman, Kara Ffolliot takes the top spot on this matter!

Wiki Commons by Library and Archives Canada

Canadians flocked to the polls to vote in favor of what in World War II?

Whether or not to join the fight

The age of majority to enlist

The Navy Commander

Conscription

While the Prime Minister was set on not forcing Canadians into battle if they didn't want to go, he decided to hold a vote anyway. The majority came back in favor of conscription, to which many Canadians proudly stood up to serve.

Posnov / Moment / Getty Images

Which modern Canadian city did Samuel de Champlain found in the early 1600s?

Quebec City

Ottawa

Calgary

St. John's

Samuel de Champlain made a voyage to Canada to establish a French colony. The city he created is still standing today and known as Quebec City. In fact, you can still get a glimpse of some of the places from that period.

Wiki Commons by Arthur Goss

Arthur Lismer, A.Y Jackson and Lawren Harris are all part of what?

Toronto Maple Leafs

Canadian Olympic Team

The Group of Seven

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

These are just a few of the members of this iconic group of painters! Often painting the beautiful Canadian landscapes, the group formed around 1920. Despite a few members coming and going, the group eventually came to its end after the members passed.

In which Canadian city was there a massive explosion in 1917?

Toronto

Ottawa

Halifax

Montreal

An unfortunate explosion took place in Halifax after the collision of two cargo ships. The incident killed thousands and injured even more people, leaving many people helpless. However, despite the collision happening quickly, it took about 20 minutes for the large explosion to happen.

Wiki Commons by Henry Alexander Ogden

It's still around today! Which Canadian company started off in fur trading in the late 1600s?

The Hudson's Bay Company

Sears Canada

BeaverTail

Tim Horton's

The Hudson's Bay Company has been around in Canada for a long time, but it still exists today. Eventually, the store expanded into a few major Canadian cities and provinces, which then helped it to develop even further.

Wiki Commons by NSARM Photo Drawer

The CRBC stood for which of the following?

Canadian Rights Board of Communications

Crowned Royal Baron of Canada

Canada's Railway Building Contractor

Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission

While Canada was subject to mostly American media, we eventually took it upon ourselves and created our own media provider. The commission is still around today, but we know it better by its new acronym, the CBC. Shown here is a rescue effort at the Moose River gold mine cave-in in Halifax County, Nova Scotia, broadcast live by the CRBC in 1936.

Wiki Commons by Benjamin West

Fought in our homeland, the Battle of the Plains of Abraham was part of which war?

World War I

Cold War

World War II

Seven Years' War

The Battle of the Plains of Abraham was one pivotal battle in the larger Seven Years' War. It was significant in that the outcome meant that France had to turn Quebec over to the British.

Wiki Commons by Associated Press

How many times have the Olympic games been hosted by a Canadian city?

One

Three

Five

10

Third time is the charm, as they say! The Olympic Games have been hosted in three different Canadian cities, Vancouver in 2010, Calgary in 1988 and Montreal in 1976. It's always possible that they could come back for a fourth.

Wiki Commons by Owen Staples

Can you name the Canadian city that was burned by the American forces during the War of 1812?

St. John's

Quebec City

Halifax

Toronto

The British forces created a capital in Canada known as York, which is modern-day Toronto. Knowing that this was an important site, the Americans torched the government buildings, burning them to the ground.

Wiki Commons by Hervey Smyth

What month did the Battle of the Plains of Abraham take place in?

September

January

March

December

September of 1759 was when the famous battle took place. Both of the commanders within the war passed away due to wounds from it, never getting to see what the exact outcome of the battle would be.

Wiki Commons

This is one date that's important to all Canadians! When was the Confederation of Canada?

1867

1900

1819

1760

1867 became a significant year for the country as Confederation took place. This meant that Canada officially became a country known as the Dominion of Canada. At this time, only a few provinces were part of the country.

Wiki Commons by Sarah S. Cornell

Which province did not become part of Canada in 1867?

Alberta

Ontario

New Brunswick

Quebec

Only four provinces made up the country at this time, which included Nova Scotia. While most of Eastern Canada was considered part of the Dominion of Canada, it wasn't long before other provinces and territories would join.

Wiki Commons by Photo Division, Government of India

The Fathers of Confederation changed the country. Which person did not play a large role in the country's confederation?

Louis St. Laurent

George Etienne-Cartier

John A. MacDonald

Sir Charles Tupper

Many primary figures helped contribute to Confederation, but there were a few significant ones. Attending conferences was just part of what they had to do to fight for the country and make sure that the confederation truly happened. Louis St. Laurent, shown here, was the 12th prime minister of Canada, from 1948 to 1957.

THEPALMER / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

Four years after Confederation, which province became the next to join?

British Columbia

Saskatchewan

Alberta

Newfoundland

British Columbia became part of the country in 1871, joining the first four provinces. It became the first western province to join the country. Did you know that George Vancouver is known to have mapped the area many years prior?

Wiki Commons by Library and Archives Canada

The first of many more to come, do you know who the first Prime Minister of Canada was?

Sir John A. MacDonald

George Etienne-Cartier

Jacques Cartier

William Lyon Mackenzie King

One of the people responsible for Canada becoming a county went on the become the nation's first Prime Minister. He spent around six years in office in this position, which then ended up going to Alexander Mackenzie.

Wiki Commons by Library and Archives Canada

Since it's a large country, what was used to easily connect each part of Canada?

WestJet

Highway 305

Canadian Pacific Railway

The St. Lawrence River

The Canadian Pacific Railway was built in the late 1800s and connected the entire country together easily. It made access to any coast a train ride away, making for easier travel and shipping. Shown here are engineers of the Canadian Pacific Railway Survey in 1872.

Wiki Commons by MarnixR

This famous poem is one that Canadians will always hold dear. Which conflict became the inspiration for "Flanders Fields?"

World War I

The War of 1812

World War II

Seven Years' War

Written by John McCrae, this legendary poem is one that all Canadians read in school. In World War I, he lost a great friend to the war and became inspired to write the poem. When thinking of poppies, it probably comes to mind for you.

Wiki Commons by Yousuf Karsh

Who was the first woman to sit in the House of Commons?

Kim Campbell

Laura Secord

Michaelle Jean

Agnes MacPhail

Agnes MacPhail made history when she was elected as the country's first female MP in 1921. First elected as part of the Progressive Party, she would go on to be part of many other parties throughout her life.

Wiki Commons by E. Ronjat / Moncornet

Important people to Canada's history have had many parts of the country named for them. Samuel de Champlain had what named after him?

A city

The country

A mountain

A lake

Lake Champlain is located on the Canada-US border, but mostly located in the United States. Despite this, Samuel de Champlain ventured down the lake and mapped it along his way, which is why it took on his name.

Wiki Commons by Lynn Hodgson

What was the name of Canada's secret spy camp during World War II?

Canadian Spy School

CSO

007 Training

Camp X

Though it sounds like something out of a movie, Camp X was a real thing. The camp trained spies throughout the Second World War in Ontario, and it eventually ceased operation in the late 1960s.

Wiki Commons by Christian Krohg

Who was the first explorer to touchdown in the country before it was known as Canada?

Leif Erikson

Sir Francis Drake

Hernan Cortes

Jacques Cartier

Before Jacques Cartier made his way to Canada, Leif Erikson and the Vikings touched down. They made their way over to the Maritimes where they settled in L'Anse aux Meadows. It's still possible to visit the area where they settled for a time today.

bergserg / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

Canada has three territories, but which one was the last to join the country?

Nunavut

Northwest Territories

Yukon

They all joined at the same time.

Nunavut joined the country just before the start of the new millennium in 1999. The last of all of the provinces and territories to join, it brought the country to a total of 13. There's no telling if there might be more provinces in the future!

Wiki Commons by Library and Archives Canada

This important Canadian award has a long history. When was the first Stanley Cup awarded to a winning hockey team?

1894

1789

1979

1906

Before the NHL had been established, teams were still competing for the famous Stanley Cup. The first time it was awarded was in 1894 to the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association. Hockey truly does run in the blood of Canadians!

Wiki Commons

What is the first portion of the Constitution known as?

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms

British North America Acts

NAFTA

Manitoba Act

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms was first enacted in 1982. It is important in relation to human rights in the country, which are protected under it. It protects every citizen and holds each person as equals. Shown here is Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, a major advocate of the Charter.

Wiki Commons by William James Topley

Can you name the person who became Canada's first French Canadian Prime Minister?

George Etienne-Cartier

Louis St. Laurent

Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Sir Wilfrid Laurier

A member of the Liberal Party, Sir Wilfrid Laurier became Prime Minister in 1896 and stayed in the position until the early 1900s. A strong leader in his own right, he was also a long-standing member in the House of Commons.

Wiki Commons by 水野 航平

The Queen's Plate is the sport of which of the following?

Hockey

Horse racing

Lacrosse

Soccer

This legendary event first took place in Canada in 1860. It received approval through the Governor-General, but eventually, the event was passed in the Queen's honor. In fact, it's not uncommon for members of the Royal Family to attend. The race takes place at Woodbine Racetrack, Etobicoke, Ontario, each summer.

Wiki Commons by British American Bank Note Company

Though he's known for many things, what about Canada is credited to Jacques Cartier?

The national anthem

The flag

The government

The country's name

Jacques Cartier gave Canada the famous name that we know it by today. The name is derived from the Iroquois word for "village" called "kanata." In fact, there's even a place in Canada that goes by this original name.

Wiki Commons by Richard Jack

Which battle showed Canada's strength as a nation to the world?

The Battle of Vimy Ridge

Seven Years' War

Dieppe Raid

Battle of Ypres

Vimy Ridge is a battle that will forever go down in Canadian history. Though many other forces tried to take it from the Germans, only Canada's forces proved to be successful. This didn't come without tremendous loss, however. Many brave Canadians who went out on the battlefield tragically lost their lives.

Wiki Commons by Jared Grove

When did Canada adopt the flag that we still fly today?

2000

1867

1964

1890

George Stanley created the iconic flag with our official colors on it. The flag became official in the 1960s when Lester B. Pearson and his government were faced with the task of giving the country its own form of identification, something that was overdue.

Wiki Commons by The Webhamster

This world event was one you didn't want to miss. What Canadian city was the 1967 Expo held in?

Ottawa

Vancouver

Edmonton

Montreal

The 1967 Expo was an important one to Canada and the world as it was held during the Centennial. It wasn't always meant to be held in Canada, as Russia was the first choice for the year, but decided to cancel.

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